In the Porsche IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, the cars share a technical makeup but the racers aren't quite to spec — that's why they call it a racer's series. Like top-gun pilots, most prep for a race in one of two ways: "get pumped" or "light a candle."

That means some turn to the rawk, others to happy thoughts. But once the flag drops, it's thrills, spills and chills.

The recent IMSA race at the always-glorious Road America had more passing and crashing than average for the series, with a couple scrapes that likely caused some major fingernail-annihilation among the crews. Imagine schoolyard basketball, with all the players aiming for an ever-dwindling number of professional spots. These kids know pressure.